<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000048287 <NAME> HON INDUSTRIES INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-3-1998 <PERIOD-START> DEC-29-1996 <PERIOD-END> OCT-4-1997 <CASH> 19,248 <SECURITIES> 258 <RECEIVABLES> 169,604 <ALLOWANCES> (3,108) <INVENTORY> 65,011 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 286,642 <PP&E> 469,042 <DEPRECIATION> 163,364 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 671,805 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 191,522 <BONDS> 156,280 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 29,676 <OTHER-SE> 269,453 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 671,804 <SALES> 970,774 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 970,774 <CGS> 663,310 <TOTAL-COSTS> 663,310 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 205,397 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,945 <INCOME-PRETAX> 97,575 <INCOME-TAX> 36,591 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 60,984 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 60,984 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.05 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.05